Texas' Gulf Coast Town Near The Mexico Border Is A Serene Escape With Sunset Views And Nearby Beaches

Fringed with scenic stretches of marshy wetlands, windswept beaches, and barrier islands, the Texas Gulf Coast feels so tropical, you'd swear you were in the Caribbean. The balmy region is pretty popular among tourists, drawing millions of visitors each year. So if you're looking to dig your heels into the sand without having to wade through all the crowds, cruise on over to Laguna Vista in Cameron County.

The residential area is a little off the beaten path, hugging the salty waters of the Laguna Madre Bay near the United States-Mexico border. But that's one of this place's biggest perks. "While the town is slightly secluded from industry, it pays off for the beauty you get to live near," one local shared on Niche. Laguna Vista may be small, but it still has plenty of green spaces to explore, whether you like hiking, golfing, picnicking, or simply watching the sunset.

The tiny town is also close to some of the South Texas coastline's most beloved destinations, including South Padre Island's many wildlife attractions and beaches. The Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) is also just a short drive away, and you can find several cozy vacation rentals on Airbnb to rest your head at.

Ask any Laguna Vista local, and they'll probably tell you the best way to enjoy this Texas town is by getting outdoors. "The weather is hard to beat," one resident shared on Niche. "Always a breeze that keeps the air clean. Predominantly sunny and very nice temperatures." Soak up the sea air and stretch your legs along the nature trails at the South Texas Ecotourism Center, or head up the road to tackle the short Laguna Vista Walking Trail (otherwise known as the Laguna Vista Nature Trail). The public walking path only spans just over half a mile, but is dotted with observation blinds if you want to do a bit of birdwatching. 

More hiking and birding can be done at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, which stretches out around Laguna Vista for more than 110,000 acres. Nearly 400 bird species have been spotted in the sanctuary, according to eBird, putting the park among some of the best birdwatching destinations in America. 

Venture up to Renée's Overlook for beautiful panoramas of the bay. If you linger around for the golden hour skies, just remember that the wildlife refuge closes promptly at sundown. You can watch the sun dip below the horizon as you picnic at Roloff Park, a cute green space that sits along Beach Boulevard overlooking the bay. If you want to hit the fairways, Laguna Vista is also home to the scenic 18-hole South Padre Island Golf Club. "Beautiful course," one golfer wrote on Google Reviews. "The greens are excellent. The surrounding lakes, wildlife, and forest make for a breathtaking scenery."

Lather on the sunscreen and spend some time soaking up the Texas sun before it goes down, too. Laguna Vista may not have any beaches directly in town, but you can definitely find miles upon miles of sandy shoreline on South Padre Island, just across the Laguna Madre Bay. 

There are many beaches scattered up and down the 113-mile-long barrier island, but Isla Blanca Beach ranks among the most breathtaking beaches in Texas. The mile-long beach is perched on the southern tip of the island and is only about a 20-minute drive away from town. If you don't mind driving a tad further, Andy Bowie County Park is just a few miles up South Padre Island. The park's beach tends to be less crowded than Isla Blanca, plus the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center and various nature trails are nearby.

Before packing up your bags and heading over to Laguna Vista, it's important to note that the Texas Gulf Coast does get battered by heavy rain and storms during the hurricane season. The stormy period typically runs from June through November, with August usually seeing the most severe weather.